Nesconset FD-Fire at the Smithhaven Mall

January 26, 1983 Approximately 3000 people were safely evacuated from the mall as fire burned on the roof over the Kotliar Hallmark Card Store outside A&S (now the lifestyle center). The mall corridors filled with smoke to a point where visibility was only a few feet, according to Chief Ross Huffer of the Nesconset FD. 10 fire departments were called to the scene. Tom Keating, a Nesconset Firefighter was the only one injured, as he fell off a ladder. The fire was reported around noon and the mall reopened at approximately 1400. This was the first fire in the mall since it opened in 1969. The anchor stores did remain open during the fire. The fire was quickly extinguished. The General Manager of the mall at the time of the fire was Abe Zitren.